A head start on your career, while you are still at school
The Educational Pathways Pilot Program (EPPP) is a school-based program that helps high-school students get a head start on their career while they finish school. Novaskill, a not-for-profit Registered Training Organisation (RTO) established in 1980, delivers the EPPP in partnership with the Department of Education across the Hunter, Newcastle and surrounding NSW regions.
The EPPP is designed to improve higher education and career outcomes for young people. If you are a high-school student who wants real-world experience and a recognised qualification before you leave school, this is your pathway.
What does the Educational Pathways Pilot Program centre on?
The EPPP centres on three things: getting students into paid school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, opening up fee-free vocational training, and strengthening careers advice for young people.
Educational Pathways Pilot Program key facts
- Provider: Novaskill, a not-for-profit RTO established in 1980, in partnership with the Department of Education.
- Who it is for: High-school students who want to start a career pathway while still at school.
- Format: Two in-school streams: business and construction.
- Cost: Fee-free for eligible students through Smart and Skilled.
- Regions: Hunter, Newcastle and surrounding NSW.
- Places: Extremely limited. Register your interest as early as possible.
Choose your EPPP stream
The Educational Pathways Pilot Program runs as two in-school streams. Pick the pathway that matches the career you want to pursue. Places are extremely limited, so register your interest as soon as possible.
In-school Business Traineeship
In-school Apprenticeships
Business stream or construction stream: which EPPP pathway suits you?
Both EPPP streams give you a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, fee-free training and careers support. The difference is the industry you focus on, as shown below.
| Feature | In-school Business Traineeship | In-school Apprenticeships (Construction) |
|---|---|---|
| Career focus | Business and business administration | Construction, in particular carpentry |
| Pathway type | School-based traineeship | School-based apprenticeship |
| ATAR | Continue your HSC while you train | Get your ATAR while you train |
| Best if you want | An office, admin or business career | A hands-on trade career on site |
Read more about the EPPP in-school business traineeship or the EPPP in-school construction apprenticeship, and learn what you need to know about apprenticeships and traineeships.
Educational Pathways Pilot Program: frequently asked questions
The Educational Pathways Pilot Program (EPPP) is a school-based program that helps high-school students start a career pathway while still at school. Novaskill delivers it with the Department of Education to improve higher education and career outcomes for young people.
The EPPP is for high-school students who want a head start on a business or construction career. Places are extremely limited and an interview process applies, so register your interest as early as possible.
The EPPP is fee-free for eligible students through Smart and Skilled vocational training.
An apprenticeship trains you in a skilled trade, such as carpentry, and usually takes longer. A traineeship trains you in a vocational area, such as business administration, and is often shorter. Both let you earn while you learn under a formal training contract.